The United States government announced two significant new and proposed trade measures in recent days potentially affecting goods, ships, and equipment originating in Asia:
- First, on April 17, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative published a notice in the Federal Register (i) imposing fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-owned ships docking in U.S. ports, and (ii) requesting public comment on proposed tariffs on Chinese cargo handling equipment, such as port cranes.
- Second, on April 21, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced proposed plans to impose tariffs up to 3,521% on solar panels from crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells and modules, which includes solar panels, imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.